Gemotions

The football field stretched before him, a tapestry of green that suddenly felt unfamiliar. Jake, the team's quarterback, felt a sudden chill run through him. The coach wanted him to switch to linebacker.

His head throbbed. He’d spent years mastering the plays, memorizing the audibles, reading the defense. He knew the field, knew the game. This was something else. He felt a deep-seated apprehension. He took a long, slow breath. The playbooks felt like another language.

“But… I…” he began, the words catching in his throat.